Overall Thoughts On Cloud Gaming

Since we were introduced to Cloud Gaming I have had many experiences with Cloud Gaming and an overall positive viewpoint on it overall. So let’s get into my thoughts!

More Avenues To Play

One of the big things I believe Cloud Gaming provides is more access and avenues to play. I have played on my phone at work, on Xbox, streamed games on PlayStation, and even played games through Xbox Cloud Gaming on my Meta Quest. With console markets reaching their caps it’s nice to see companies branch out and provide more places for people to play their games.

Expensive Hardware Isn’t Needed

Cloud gaming allows players to stream games from powerful remote servers. Meaning, people don’t need to invest in expensive gaming hardware like Gaming PCs or the latest consoles. Players with modest devices like low-end PCs, laptops, or even smartphones can access high-quality games. Cloud gaming can be accessed across multiple devices that anyone can afford. Some options people have are smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs.

This offers the benefit of making it possible to play AAA games without being tied to one specific platform. Since Cloud gaming offloads the heavy processing to remote servers, your device only needs to handle the streaming. This means even older devices can continue to run new, graphically demanding games, extending their usable lifespan. In the long run, this can save consumers a lot of money.

Cloud gaming providers are responsible for upgrading server-side hardware, meaning consumers don’t need to worry about future-proofing their setups. Players benefit from the latest tech advancements without needing to purchase new hardware. I will continue to buy consoles as that’s my preferred way to play, but the options are great!

Play Anywhere At Anytime

Cloud gaming enables players to switch seamlessly between devices. You can start playing a game on your console at home and continue on your phone or laptop while on the go, with progress saved in the cloud. I played a lot of the Mafia Definitive Edition at work through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Then being able to go home and have access to the save there is amazing.

Whether traveling, commuting, or away from home, cloud gaming lets you access and play your games anywhere with an internet connection. I have even played Elder Scrolls Online just using my phone’s network thanks to the Cloud and it worked great. Will every game work perfectly all the time? No. But as technology gets better, so do options like these.

Game Preservation

This is the topic that many people quarrel about, and that’s game preservation. Many people want to own their physical games and that’s great. I own almost every physical release for the Suikoden series. In this day and age though I find myself buying fewer and fewer physical games and it depends on the game. Another way to look at it though is Cloud gaming eliminates the need for physical copies.

Since games are stored and run on servers, players don’t have to worry about hardware failure or the need to replace lost or damaged discs. I don’t think you want to know the price to replace my copy of Suikoden 2, which still works even though it’s scratched. According to Amazon, it is 300 bucks for a used copy of the game. Imagine what some other historic games from the past might cost.

Instant Access and Lower Upfront Costs

Games can be played immediately without the need for lengthy downloads or installations. This reduces the barrier to entry and eliminates waiting time. I can’t tell you how many games I played on my Xbox without ever downloading them. I just played over Cloud. I even streamed many games on PlayStation via their service without having to ever download. With services like Xbox Cloud Gaming through Game Pass or PlayStation Now, players have access to vast libraries of games that they can play instantly, offering more choices without the need to manage local storage.

1TB of space can fill up pretty quickly. Many Cloud gaming services operate on subscription models. This can be more affordable than buying individual games or hardware and allows consumers to experience many games for a single, lower monthly fee. Since the processing power is handled by remote servers, we don’t need to upgrade or maintain our hardware as often. This saves money in the long term allowing us to spend it elsewhere. You still have the option to buy your games too, but this is just another option for consumers.

Impact On The Environment

Some might find this more important than others but with Cloud gaming, we can have less of an impact on the environment. With fewer consumers needing to upgrade their devices and hardware as frequently, Cloud gaming reduces electronic waste, making it a more sustainable option compared to traditional gaming setups that require constant hardware upgrades.

I’m almost positive many of us use streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Pandora, or other streaming platforms. Can you imagine how much trash we could have saved the environment as CDs and DVDs were dumped into the environment less and less? I haven’t bought or owned a CD in years. Not saying don’t go out and buy these things. I am saying this provides another option to help the environment.

Easier Access To Multiplayer and Social Gaming

With Cloud gaming’s always-connected nature, matchmaking for multiplayer games can be faster and more seamless. Cloud gaming services also focus on cross-platform play, allowing players from different devices to play together. Some Cloud gaming platforms feature easy integration with streaming services, letting players share their gameplay experiences without needing additional software or hardware.

It goes back to what I keep continuing to say, options! I do need to say that obviously, good internet can factor in how some of these things can run. But overall my experiences have been pretty good when gaming with friends. I reviewed a laptop and during that, I decided to play games through the Cloud mostly and the experience was good.

Innovate and Experiment

One of the most interesting ways I tested out Cloud gaming was through my Meta Quest 2. While it doesn’t work super well where I live now, it was great when I tested it. I played Elder Scrolls Online Cyrodil PVP, Age of Empires 4, and Starfield through Xbox Cloud Gaming and they all ran well. It didn’t matter if there were people on the screen or a big gunfight, the experience overall was seamless.

Cloud gaming can also allow for easier access to things like game demos and trials, letting players try new games without committing to a purchase. This encourages more experimentation with different types of games, expanding gaming horizons. With the way that many games have come out and been broken or “unfinished” as some would say, this provides an avenue to test things out ahead of time.

Final Thoughts

With everything that exists, there will always be someone or people with different opinions. I think Cloud gaming is a good thing and great for the future. Cloud gaming offers an affordable, accessible, and flexible way to experience gaming, making high-quality games available to a much wider audience. It reduces the cost and hassle of hardware upgrades, provides instant access to games, and allows players to game on virtually any device, all while being environmentally friendly.

For consumers, cloud gaming is an exciting shift that provides freedom, convenience, and lower costs. Do we need to play Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Meta Quest devices? Do we all need Amazon Fire Sticks with Game Pass? Do we all need access to the Cloud via the different avenues available? The answer is No.

However, it provides multiple avenues for many people who might need these options for their best gaming experiences. One thing I would love to see is the ability to play any game I own via the Cloud, even when not at home. I would love to hear your thoughts. When one gamer wins, we all win!